Special Meeting - Open Session - April 28, 2008

Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Special Meeting - Open Session April 28, 2008		Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin

Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Arlene Silveira at 5:02 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Maya Cole, Ed Hughes, Lucy Mathiak, Beth Moss, Marj Passman, Arlene Silveira, Johnny Winston, Jr.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT: Joe Carlsmith

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Amos Anderson, Jim Haessly, Steve Hartley, Attorney Joseph Hill, Attorney Dan Mallin, Pam Nash, Joe Quick, Art Rainwater, Rick Rogness, Rick Reynolds, Marcia Standiford, Lisa Wachtel, Nancy Yoder, Ann Wilson-Recording Secretary,

1. Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Maya Cole and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to approve the minutes of the Special meetings dated April 22 and April 23, 2008 as distributed. Motion unanimously carried.

2. Public Appearances

There were no public appearances.

3. Announcements

There were no announcements.

4. Swearing In of Newly Elected Board Members

Board of Education Clerk Johnny Winston, Jr. administered the Oath of Office to new Board of Education members Ed Hughes and Marj Passman.

5. Value Added Model to Measure Student Performance

Chief Information Officer Kurt Kiefer and Wisconsin Center for Education Research - Value Added Research Center - Researcher Michael Christian provided the second in a series of presentations/updates on Value Added assessment. They emphasized that what would be shared are preliminary results. Kurt Kiefer indicated he would share a copy of the PowerPoint presentation made this evening with Board members. Additional presentations are scheduled in May and June to share progress on development of the Value Added model.

Mr. Christian discussed issues (use of data and student mobility) and noted that preliminary results show that, applying Value Added, the variance in the amount of student improvement across schools is small, especially for math; a little more but still small for reading, and the highest Value Added schools are not necessarily those with the highest attainment. This was true of both elementary and middle schools. He noted that Value Added focuses on improvement from one year to the next, while attainment shows improvement at a single point in time. The data shared at this time did not identify schools.

DISCUSSION:

· Predict new authorization of No Child Left Behind will go in the direction of a growth model. Small number of states were granted a pilot. Milwaukee and Madison are only two districts in Wisconsin now; working on a state-wide model.

· School size as a contributing factor. Data shows concentration of poverty has affect, not school size. Measure individual student variables, rather than school variables.

· Ways in which data is used - report to Board; tool for Board to monitor progress of schools and students; measure of how attributes contribute to the achievement gap. Model allows independent measure of each attribute.

· First full-year measure for Olson Elementary students will be November 2008-2009.

· High school level not included in current planning. Concern about two-year gap in tests.

· Comparisons will be available when Value Added is implemented state-wide. Need to measure within the district to see change over time. Setting the district "standard." Looking for appropriate level of growth and attainment axis, trends over time, sustained pattern.

· Interest in reviewing progress for groups of students (special education, ELL).

6. Code of Conduct

(Written materials provided in advance: memorandum from Art Rainwater dated 4/24/08 re: Student Behavior and Discipline Plan; Memorandum from Art Rainwater dated 4/24/08 re: Recommendations for Changes to Rules Governing Student Conduct; Student Conduct and Discipline Plan - Draft Revisions dated 4/24/08 - all attached to the original of these minutes.)

Art Rainwater noted the Student Behavior and Discipline Plan has been divided into four sections, based on the work and recommendations of the Behavior and Discipline Committee and others. He reviewed the draft of the Preamble/Statement of Philosophy and Positive Behavior Support Plan. The Classroom Code of Conduct is still being developed and will continue to be reviewed.

Attorney Dan Mallin reviewed the written materials provided regarding Recommendations for Changes to Rules Governing Student Conduct. He noted that although this is an annual review process, the participation of the Behavior and Discipline Committee represents a different, more participatory approach. He noted the purpose for discussion is to introduce proposed changes and raise issues; no action is anticipated nor required at this time.

Arlene Silveira noted the discussion is also part of the review of the Superintendent's goals. There is community misinformation about the intent of the Board regarding expulsions. The Board's goal is to decrease the behaviors that lead to expulsion and suspension, not to simply decrease the numbers. As they focus on policy development, they look forward to dialog and input.

DISCUSSION:

· Manifestation determination pilot, protection for students in the behavior intervention plan, number of cases diverted.

· Determining what represents the first offense.

· Reconsideration of zero tolerance.

· Student honesty - sharing information that hurts their case; end up punished.

· Refresher course for students on items not to bring to school. Reminder as year progresses.

· Bullied or victimized students bring weapons for safety--feeling need to keep safe. (Need consistent protocol. Depends on student willingness to share information. Behavior and Discipline Committee addressing issue. Need to assure staff has skills to support students, students have skills to respond to conflicts.)

· Virtual threats.

· Concerns about student "intent" and "provoked" or "unprovoked." Too narrow a definition. Eliminate concept - Superintendent decide in rare cases it is needed. Need clear definition for students.

· Common Council/Board of Education Liaison Committee has discussed ideas for improving behavior of students while riding buses.

7. Other Business

There was no other business.

8. Adjournment

It was moved by Maya Cole and seconded by Johnny Winston, Jr. to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.

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